Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director Manmohan Parkash on Wednesday branded Bangladesh as a 'role model' in the globe in terms of the country's economic growth.
"Bangladesh is an emerging country. The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) growth of the country is also growing. It is the role model in the world," he told the inaugural ceremony of the 'Best Project Implementation Forum' at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the capital.
"Bangladesh will be the top GDP growth achiever among the South Asian countries in 2019," he said, assuring the development bank's support to the country's economic development through facilitating the development works, especially in the transport sector.
The ADB's Dhaka office organised the two-day forum, participated by Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia and Sri Lanka.
The best projects in terms of their progress and implementation status of those participating countries will be awarded at the forum.
As the chief guest, Local Government and Rural Development minister M Tajul Islam said that the country's biggest challenge at this moment is waste management.
"This is not only a big challenge for Bangladesh, also for the globe," he said, expressing the hope that the ADB will come forward with its extended financial support to address the challenge.
Mr Islam urged the authorities concerned to prepare appropriate design for the projects which will ultimately ensure better outcome from their implementation.
Meanwhile, ADB Country Director Mr. Parkash said that his organisation will lay more emphasis on Bangladesh's railways sector development as it is the best mood of transportation across the world.
He appreciated the increased project implementation capacity of Bangladesh.
Economic Relations Division Secretary of Bangladesh Monowar Ahmed also spoke on the occasion, saying that the ADB has so far invested US$ 25 billion in Bangladesh's development works.
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